11 Top Energy Saving Tips for Winter To Keep Warm on a Budget

As winter gradually creeps its way into our houses, homeowners need to act fast to optimise heat to its full potential whilst cost-saving. Try these top energy saving tips for winter.

Winter can be a wondrous time for people of all ages, from the falling snow that invites excitement into our hearts as we are cuddled round a fire, to the incredible build up to Christmas. However, for other people, winter is a challenging time, especially when it comes to saving money. In this article, you will learn how to properly cut costs in winter with our recommended eleven top energy saving tips for winter. By integrating our tips earlier on will ensure that you will save more money in the long run whilst also keeping you and your family warm from the challenges of winter.

Key points:

• Find out how to leverage sunlight for natural heating and reduce dependency on artificial heat sources.
• Learn how insulating your property will aid in trapping warmth and cut down on energy leaks.
• Adjust thermostats strategically for savings without sacrificing comfort.
• Maintain and upgrade heating systems to boost efficiency and longevity.
• Explore innovative solutions like underfloor heating for a cosier, energy-smart home.

1. Let the Light In

One of the simplest yet effective winter energy saving tips is to manage how light interacts with your home. 

During the day, be sure to open the curtains or blinds on your south-facing windows to allow the sun’s natural warmth to heat your space. This use of solar gain not only reduces the burden on your heating system but also brightens your home without a cost. 

At night, close the blinds or curtains to add an extra layer of insulation against the cold glass, cutting down on heat loss. Additionally, planting deciduous trees near these windows can amplify your efforts; they’ll offer shade in the summer and allow sunlight to pass through in the winter after they shed their leaves.

2. Cover Up the Windows

To further optimise your home for energy conservation, consider improving your insulation, especially around your windows. 

Applying a heavy-duty, clear plastic sheet on a frame or taping clear plastic film to the inside of the window frames can dramatically reduce infiltration of cold air. 

For a more permanent solution, install tight-fitting, insulating drapes or shades on windows that feel draughty. These measures not only help maintain a consistent temperature but also contribute to your home’s overall energy efficiency, making them essential energy saving tips for winter.

3. Temperature Adjustments

Thermostat management is pivotal towards saving energy in the winter. 

Set your thermostat to the lowest comfortable setting when you’re awake and at home. Lowering the temperature further when you’re asleep or out of the house can save as much as 10% a year on your heating and cooling bills. 

Modern advancements such as smart or programmable thermostats can automate these adjustments, ensuring comfort for you, your family, and pets while using energy more efficiently. 

If your home is equipped with a heat pump or other central heating systems, use a moderate setting or a thermostat specially designed for heat pumps to maximise efficiency.

4. Replace Your Boiler

Is your boiler pressure too high? This could be because of too much wear and tear, or possibly because it is reaching an old age. 

If your boiler is more than 10 years old, replacing it with a new, more energy-efficient model could lead to significant savings on your energy bills. 

Modern condensing boilers are far superior in efficiency compared to older systems. While the initial cost may seem high—approximately £2,300 for a gas boiler replacement and around £3,100 for an oil boiler—the investment can quickly pay off in lower energy costs. 

Evaluating the potential savings from installing a new boiler can be a prudent step towards optimising your home’s heating efficiency.

5. Seal Leaks

A fundamental step in this guide to energy saving tips for winter involves addressing air leaks in your home. 

These leaks can often be found around utility cut-throughs for pipes, gaps around chimneys, recessed lights in insulated ceilings, and behind cupboards. 

Detecting and sealing these leaks with caulk or weatherstripping can significantly reduce your heating costs. Learn how to identify these leaks and effectively seal them with this guide on the most common leak locations in the home.

6. Heating Systems Maintenance

Routine maintenance of your heating system is crucial for its performance and energy conservation during cold months. 

Schedule regular service checks, replace filters monthly or as needed, and ensure that any wood or pellet burning heaters are cleaned regularly. 

These steps help maintain the efficiency of your heating system, making it a key component of winter energy saving tips. By keeping your heating system in top shape, you reduce the risk of unexpected breakdowns and excessive energy use.

7. Reduce Heat Loss

Reducing heat loss is vital in maintaining a warm and cost-effective home. 

Keep the fireplace damper closed unless a fire is burning, as an open damper can let out as much warm air as an open window. 

If you use your fireplace, install tempered glass doors and a heat-air exchange system to minimise heat loss. Ensuring that the fireplace damper and the surrounding area are well-sealed can further prevent warm air from escaping, making your fireplace more efficient.

8. Save Water

Water conservation is another important aspect of saving energy. 

Simple changes like taking shorter showers, using efficient shower heads, and turning off the tap while brushing your teeth can significantly reduce water usage and, consequently, the energy required to heat that water.

Ensure your appliances, like washing machines and dishwashers, are fully loaded before running them to maximise efficiency. Keeping your water heater at a moderate 120°F not only saves energy but also prevents scalding.

9. Unplug Unused Electric Devices

Another invaluable energy saving tip for winter is to unplug unused electric devices. 

Devices left plugged in or in standby mode—often referred to as vampire devices—can drain significant amounts of power, unnecessarily inflating your energy bill. 

By turning off devices like smart speakers, set-top boxes, TVs, microwaves, and charging devices when not in use, you could save approximately £60-£70 annually. 

This step not only aids in reducing your electric bill but also extends the life of your electronics.

10. Using Your Washing Machine, Dryer, and Dishwasher Efficiently

Optimising the use of major appliances is another essential piece of advice within our winter energy saving tips. 

You can save about £34 a year by running your washing machine on a cooler 30-degree cycle and ensuring it’s always full—or using a half-load program when necessary. 

Similarly, reducing your dishwasher use by just one cycle per week can save around £17 annually. 

Always aim to run your dishwasher only when it’s fully loaded to maximise water and energy efficiency. 

Furthermore, use tumble dryers sparingly; drying clothes on racks inside when the weather is poor can save up to £70 a year.

11. Add Underfloor Heating

Incorporating underfloor heating can be a more efficient way to warm your home during the winter months. These systems distribute heat evenly and rise slowly, reducing the need for higher thermostat settings and providing a consistent warmth from the floor up.

Using either electric underfloor heating or wet underfloor heating kits, these can be retrofitted into your home before the winter and can massively impact your energy bills, in the sense that they will use way less energy than traditional heating systems like radiators and heat pumps.

Learn more on how to use underfloor heating efficiently so that you can be fully prepared for the winter.

Can You Still Enjoy Christmas Whilst Saving on Energy?

The final concern that many homeowners may have when considering these energy saving tips for winter is whether or not it will affect their Christmas. After all, you do not want to be having a cold Christmas dinner in the dark because you can’t have the lights on. 

This is why switching to LED holiday light strings can dramatically reduce the amount of energy used. These lights are not only more energy-efficient but also last longer than traditional bulbs. 

Ensuring that you purchase ENERGY STAR® certified light strings can further improve your energy savings, helping to keep your festive spirit bright and your bills low.

FAQs

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Sources

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Albright’s Mechanical Services. (2020) The 7 Most Common Leak Locations in Homes. [online] Available at: https://www.albrightsmechanical.com/blog/2020/september/the-7-most-common-leak-locations-in-homes/ [accessed 19/09/24]

Campion, A., (2023) The 7 vampire devices that are draining your energy. Confused.com. [online] Available at: https://www.confused.com/gas-electricity/guides/standby-energy-vampire-device [accessed 19/09/24]

Electrician Courses 4U. (2016) The Complete Guide to LED Christmas Lights. [online] Available at: https://electriciancourses4u.co.uk/useful-resources/led-christmas-lights/ [accessed 19/09/24]